AS if breaking up with your partner isn't traumatic enough, it may also plunge you #25,000 into the red.

More than half those with debt problems got into trouble after divorce or the break-up of a long-term relationship.

Figures from the UK Insolvency Helpline and Divorceaid show that splits account for 52 per cent of serious debt.

That's three times the number of people forced into debt after bereavement or by ill-health. And it's five times the number who pile up debts after losing their job or suffering a disability. Divorce and separation leaves people with average unsecured debts of #20,000.Even having to move house after a break-up can leave you owing between #2,400 and #6,000.

Women are the main victims, often being stuck with credit card and loan debts piled up by their former partners, says the Helpline's Richard Sorsky.

"The person left behind is often lumbered with debts on a single income and that means that they will be struggling to make ends meet.

"Because of this, we're getting a lot of calls from young people who are now in trouble," he adds.

Divorceaid's Christina Tait set up her advice website following her own divorce. The 48-year-old, from Oakham, Leics, says: "Divorce is an expensive business. I struggled with my finances and had to battle to get myself out of a hole.

"There were times when I had no money and the future seemed bleak."

In a bid to try to avoid this scenario, the UK Insolvency Helpline and Divorceaid want to make managing finances through divorce easier.

They're urging loan firms and credit card companies to be more careful when dishing out money.

Currently, one partner can apply for credit on the basis of household income without the other person knowing how much is being borrowed.

borrowers to have a better understanding of the financial pitfalls of breaking up. For instance, many couples aren't aware that divorce settlements do not have any effect on creditors.

A couple getting divorced might agree that one of them will pay off loans and joint credit cards. But both remain liable for the debt, despite the terms of their divorce.

You should also be aware that the date of separation in a final decree is usually the cut-off point for when partners are responsible for the other person's debts. Make sure all joint accounts are closed or divided when you separate. Each partner should then set up their own account to ensure they qualify for credit.

During break-ups, couples should contact all service providers to say that they won't be responsible for bills run up by their partners.

With joint accounts, both of you are responsible for the debt, which means that one partner running up bills can damage the other's credit rating.

Banks and loan firms cannot close joint accounts because a couple have got divorced but they can do so if one partner requests it.

But they don't have to change joint accounts to individual ones - they can ask you to reapply as an individual and any credit you get depends on your own income.

Finally, when it comes to mortgages, a lender is almost certain to ask you to refinance the loan in order to remove one partner.

Divorceaid can be contacted at www. divorceaid.co.uk or by emailing office@ divorceaid.co.uk The UK Insolvency Helpline is on 0800 074 6918 or at www. insolvencyhelpline.co.uk